A MAN has been jailed for the murder of his wife in a road traffic collision on the M1 last year.

Ian John Walters, 51, of Tregantle Walk, Swindon, Wiltshire was found guilty of murdering Tracy Maria Walters at Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday) following a six week trial.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years.

The court heard how on Friday March 21, Ian Walters was driving his vehicle, a black Mitsubishi L200 southbound on the M1 motorway following a short break away with Tracy. She was the front seat passenger in the vehicle.

Between junction 22 and 21A of the motorway, the vehicle moved from the middle lane of the motorway veering off to the left of the carriageway and into the embankment, crashing through bushes and into a tree before coming to a halt.

Ian Walters

Emergency services arrived at the scene and found them both conscious with significant injuries. Both were taken to hospital and Tracy died from her injuries two days later. Ian was released from hospital some weeks later.

Police began enquiries to establish how the collision had happened and specialist examiners inspected the car and scene. Examinations of the vehicle and the scene showed no attempts to brake, no defects on the vehicle and CCTV supported there was no debris from the vehicle hitting anything in the carriageway. Witnesses to the collision also described seeing the vehicle swerve for no reason and no brake lights on the car.

Officers examined as part of their investigation Tracy’s mobile phone which was found at the scene and found SMS messages on it indicating that there may have been marital problems between Ian and Tracy which was supported by Tracy’s family and friends.

Detective Inspector Shaun Orton, the investigating officer, said: “We carried out a complex investigation involving many people who have collectively provided the evidence that has proved that Ian intentionally drove his car off the motorway.

“I would like to pay tribute to Tracy’s family who have shown immense strength throughout the investigation and trial and I hope that today’s verdict provides them with some comfort.

“I would like to thank those within the investigation team and the Crown Prosecution Service for all their hard work and commitment over the past year. I would also like to thank the motorists who witnessed the collision and stopped to assist at the scene.”

Tracy Walters

Following the guilty verdict, Tracy’s family have released the following statement:

“Firstly we would like to thank Leicestershire Police for their professionalism and hard work in bringing this case to court.

“Tracy was a driving instructor and in her words even a car can be a lethal weapon as in this case a murder weapon.

“The hole that has been left by Tracy’s murder is a void that can never be filled. Even our memories will be tainted because of the cowardly and devastating way in which we lost her.

“We as a family are also the victims of domestic abuse, it destroys lives, it devastates families, it has robbed us of a future with Tracy.”